Free Professional Development Courses to Help Educators Move Curriculum Online
Casual chats over coffee seem like a distant memory for those self-isolating in our homes. For educators, these conversations sprouted new ideas for lesson plans, technology, and teaching methods. Especially during this virtual learning transition, these new ideas are the cornerstone of education innovation, and one company is fighting to bring them back.
mindSpark Learning is a company focused on professional development for educators. Now, they’re offering a series of virtual coffee chats, on-demand content, and professional development courses to help educators bring their curriculum online and elevate student outcomes.
As part of their Distance Learning Online Toolkit, mindSpark Learning is hosting coffee chats to connect educators to a community they can lean on for support and resources. These chats address some of the biggest challenges educators are facing right now.
According to mindSpark Learning CEO Kellie Lauth, her conversations with educators have brought to light the same three concerns. First, the interruption of learning and routine, and its impact on students and families. Second, maintaining student engagement while tending to the mental health of students and maintaining important relationships that schools foster. Third, ensuring community and basic needs are met - like food, clothing, and shelter.
“Networking, collaboration, opportunities to receive tech support on demand and share resources, are crucial for [educators],” Lauth said.
The three points above are the major themes about which mindSpark Learning hopes to open a dialogue. As such, in addition to the virtual coffee chats and on-demand content (called SparkPlugs) they’re offering three professional development courses, completely free.
IBM AI Education: A collaboration with IBM to teach educators how to infuse their content and curriculum with the knowledge, skills and values driving innovation in AI.
ECHO: A collaboration with the University of Denver Morgridge to help education professionals improve educational disparities of children and families in underserved and rural communities.
College of Education: Addresses how we can equitably and sustainably strengthen teachers’, students’, and parents’ social-emotional intelligence.
A lesser publicized problem is how school closures are affecting physical education teachers and athletic departments. This is something mindSpark Learning is paying close attention to as well.
“Over the past few weeks, we’ve acted as thought leaders and thought partners to help coaches problem-solve and innovate. Since training and skill development looks drastically different compared to a few weeks ago, we are emphasizing the importance of embracing new and next-gen technology like VR training, gamification, and simulation learning,” said Justin Goldman, Director of Athletic Partnerships.
Professional sports are simulating seasons and games in a virtual environment, and the same basic principles and technology can apply to school sports too. “Beyond having virtual chats and discussions related to overall mental health and physical fitness, coaches are preparing home workouts and activities that keep the athletes engaged and mentally sharp,” Goldman said.
mindSpark Learning has a PD course for coaches and PE teachers called mSL CAPITA to help them adapt to the new normal.
Educators of all grade levels and subjects can grab their coffee and pull up a seat to their computers to share ideas and collaborate with mindSpark Learning. For more information about their Distance Learning Online Toolkit, visit: http://www.mymindsparklearning.org/online-toolkit